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Russian President Vladimir Putin invited his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to visit Moscow next year, in a conversation in which both leaders vowed to deepen bilateral cooperation.
During a video call with Xi Jinping, Putin stated that Russia’s ties with China are the “best ever”, noting that “they withstand all tests with dignity, demonstrate maturity and stability and continue to expand dynamically.” He expressed the wish to receive his counterpart next spring, a visit that will demonstrate to the whole world the “strength of Russian-Chinese ties on key issues.”
“We are waiting for you, dear president, dear friend, next spring for a state visit to Moscow,” the Russian president said.
The call lasted only eight minutes and was broadcast on Russian state television. Putin also took the opportunity to tell his counterpart that he intends to “strengthen the cooperation between the Armed Forces of Russia and China”, information that, according to Reuters, was omitted by the Chinese state broadcaster (CCTV) in the coverage of the conversation.
Without mentioning the war in Ukraine, Putin noted that he shares the same views with Xi Jinping on the geopolitical transformation of the global scenario. “In the context of unprecedented pressures and provocations from the West, we are defending our starting positions“, stressed the Russian leader.
There was no response from the Chinese president to the invitation to visit Moscow. Xi Jinping preferred to say only that his country “Are you ready for increase strategic cooperation with Russia“in what is “a difficult situation” in the world.
The Chinese head of state also said that Beijing and Moscow should coordinate and cooperate on foreign affairs, stressing Russia’s willingness to enter into negotiations over the war in Ukraine.
On the conflict, Xi Jinping assured that the country will maintain an “objective and fair” position, adding that the path towards peace talks “it will not be easy”.
The virtual meeting between the leaders occurs at a critical moment for both countries. Russia is focused on a massive airstrike in Ukraine that kyiv officials say is aimed at attacking the power grid and causing a national blackout later this year. In addition, Moscow finds itself increasingly isolated and continues to be subject to Western sanctions for the invasion.
China, for its part, while insisting that it “is anxious to [a guerra] end” —the words of Yun Sun, director of the Chinese program of the American think tank Stimson Center— is waging its own battles: the country is dealing with a new wave of Covid-19, a consequence of the lack of confinement authorized in recent days
After the conversation, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the dialogue between the two leaders was “substantial” and “constructive”, but that there is no fixed date for Xi Jinping’s eventual visit.
Source: Observadora
